clutch

• Nom avec plusieurs sens : action de saisir ou de tenir fermement ; situation tendue ou critique ; groupe d'œufs pondus en une seule fois ou couvée ; ensemble d'objets traités ensemble ; petit sac à main sans lanières ; ou dispositif mécanique pour engager et désengager la transmission de puissance.

A noun with multiple meanings: the act of grasping or holding tightly; a tense or critical situation; a group of eggs laid at one time or a brood of young birds; a collection or set of items handled together; a small handbag without straps; or a mechanical device for engaging and disengaging power transmission.

1. Grasp or holdB1formal

   The act of grasping or holding something tightly.

   Action de saisir ou de tenir fermement

   • He felt the clutch of her hand on his arm.
   • The child's clutch on the toy was surprisingly strong.
   • She lost her clutch on the rope and fell.

   Synonymesclaspgraspgriphold

   Antonymesloosenrelease

2. B2informal

   A tense or critical situation, often requiring decisive action.

   situation critique

   • In the clutch, he made the winning shot.
   • She always performs well under pressure, especially in the clutch.
   • The team relied on their star player in the clutch.

   Synonymescrisisdifficultyemergencyfixjampinchpredicament

3. Group of eggs or youngC1formal

   A number of eggs laid or young hatched at the same time, especially in birds.

   Couvée

   • The hen laid a clutch of six eggs.
   • The ornithologist studied the clutch of robin eggs.
   • A clutch of ducklings followed their mother to the pond.

   Synonymesbroodhatch

4. Collection or groupB2formal

   A collection of things or people that are handled or considered together.

   Groupe, ensemble

   • She had a clutch of keys in her hand.
   • A clutch of reporters gathered outside the building.
   • He carried a clutch of documents to the meeting.

   Synonymesbatchbunchclustercollectiongrouplotpackset

5. B1formal

   A small, strapless handbag that is carried in the hand, often used for formal occasions.

   Pochette de soirée

   • She carried a black clutch to the wedding.
   • Her clutch matched her shoes perfectly.
   • He bought her a designer clutch for her birthday.

   Synonymesclutch bagevening bag

6. Mechanical deviceB1formal

   A pedal or lever that engages or disengages a rotating shaft and a driving mechanism, especially in a vehicle.

   Embrayage

   • Press the clutch before shifting gears.
   • The clutch in my car is starting to wear out.
   • He released the clutch slowly to start moving.

7. Coupling mechanismC1formal

   A coupling that connects or disconnects driving and driven parts of a driving mechanism.

   Embrayage

   • The clutch engages the engine with the transmission.
   • A faulty clutch can cause the machine to malfunction.
   • The mechanic replaced the worn clutch in the industrial press.

   Synonymescouplercoupling

• Verbe utilisé pour désigner l'action de saisir ou de tenir quelque chose fermement, souvent avec les mains ou les griffes.

A verb used to indicate the act of grasping or holding something tightly, often with the hands or claws.

1. Grab or seizeB1formal

   To take hold of something suddenly and firmly.

   Empoigner, saisir brusquement

   • She clutched her bag tightly as she walked through the crowd.
   • He clutched the railing to keep from falling.
   • The child clutched his mother's hand in fear.

   Synonymesclaspclenchgrabgraspgripholdseizesnatch

   Antonymesdroplet gorelease

2. Hold firmlyB1formal

   To hold something tightly, usually with the hands.

   agripper fermement

   • She clutched the steering wheel during the storm.
   • He clutched the trophy proudly after winning.
   • The old man clutched his walking stick for support.

   Synonymesclaspclenchgraspgripholdseize

   Antonymesdroplet gorelease

3. Affect emotionallyB2informal

   To have a strong emotional impact on someone.

   Émouvoir profondément

   • The tragic news clutched at her heart.
   • A feeling of dread clutched him as he entered the room.
   • The story clutched the audience's attention from the start.

   Synonymesaffectgripmovestirtouch